Safety of repeated sessions of galvanic vestibular stimulation following stroke: A single-case study

Abstract

Primary objective: Galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) involves the delivery of small electrical current to the part of the scalp that overlies the vestibular nerves. A single, brief session transiently reduces certain types of stroke impairment with no reported side-effects. It is anticipated that further reductions will occur if the duration and frequency of stimulation is increased. The aim of the present study was to assess whether this increased exposure is well-tolerated and consistent with patient well-being.

Methods and procedures: GVS was administered to a stroke sufferer on 5 consecutive days, each for 30 minutes at an intensity of 1 milliamp. Tolerability was monitored via a range of behavioural scales sensitive to side-effects experienced during and after stimulation.

Results: No unpleasant sensations were reported during stimulation and no deterioration in global function was observed over the 5-day period.

Conclusion: The results imply that repeated applications of GVS are tolerable at the parameter settings applied and provide the basis for larger-scale investigations of safety and efficacy.

• Neurorehabilitation
• balance organs
• electrical stimulation

Notes

†Some improvement was noted on the FIM + FAM, but in the absence of a matched control it is not possible to disentangle the effect of stimulation from that of natural recovery. More importantly, the score increased rather than decreased, so does not raise safety concerns.